Twenty years ago, Xiong and her family were on the receiving end of the Salvation Army's annual toy-distribution generosity.

"It's heartwarming to be able to give back," said Xiong, a San Joaquin Delta College student. "I came here a lot when I was 5, 6, 7 and 8."

Her favorite toy from those childhood trips: a clear glass tube with confetti inside. "Somewhere in there was Waldo."

Approximately 200 Stockton residents stood in the cold Friday morning, waiting patiently for their turn in the annual holiday giveaway. The Salvation Army also distributed food boxes.

Daisy and her mother, Aurora Galvan, were among the first in line.

"It's been hard on me," said Galvan, 32, a single mother raising Daisy and two other children. "I'm here to get presents for my kids. I have no money, nothing but bills. There is no work."

Three dozen volunteers, representing Middle College High School, University of the Pacific and Delta College, helped assemble the food boxes and toy bags. Like Xiong, they also helped with the distribution.

"I'm here because people don't have it as good as I do," said 15-year-old volunteer Christopher Cabana, a Middle College student. "My purpose in life is not just to look out for myself but to look out for others."

Cabana is a part of the campus Key Club, which has as its motto: "Service, our way of life."

He said the club has changed him. "My mind-set is to help out and make a difference."

Overseeing the complicated distribution effort was Cristian Sibaja, captain and commander of Stockton's Salvation Army chapter.

"This is a great city," Sibaja said, waving his hand across the gymnasium being used as a staging area. "What you see here are a lot of people who believe in Stockton. There are definitely a lot of people in need. That's why we're here."

Sibaja, born in San Jose, Costa Rica, came to Stockton five months ago from assignment in Las Cruces, N.M.